SFAB  Started 18^th June 2005

Started with a NAVMAN 520i car satnav, but this was very unsatisfactory for caching.

Moved on to a Garmin GEKO 301 and did quite a lot using cache page print outs and OS maps.

Once I upgraded to the PDA and Memory Map the planning and execution of a caching expedition became a doddle.

My Current Set Up

Hardware:

GPSr - Garmin GEKO 301

Adequate GPSr, trees and buildings can be a bind but you can work the unit to get fair results once you understand its’ limitations (see tips for using budget units).  I do use the compass feature but could manage without it. I like its altimeter but have never used it.

PDA - HP iPAQ hx2790b

This was not a cheap option and I suspect you could get the same functionality that I use from it for less money. I mostly use it for Memory Map which is terrific.  Cachmate is also on it.

This has a 4GB Compact Flash for the maps.  Plus a Spin100 SD card which makes it in to a Navman sat nav.

Connecting cables and car charging lead  

Software:

Memory Map

OS maps on your computer, brilliant.  I have the 1:50000 for the whole country.  You overlay the locations of caches on to the map in the comfort of your own home and plan your cache trips.

GSAK

I am not a computer type but with GSAK you can manipulate your ‘Pocket Queries’ on your PC for all sorts of things I don’t use.  But I do do the following:

    Export ‘overlays’ to Memory Map, displaying cache location and type.

    Filter out caches I have found

    Filter out caches I own

    Use arc and poly filters to plot caches along a route

    Send cache files to Cachemate on the PDA

Lordelfs Icons

A fine contribution to your caching experience.  They are meaningful caching icons, which you can replace for the Memory Map standard icons which are not much use.  You need some script to get it working.

Cachemate

A utility to handle abridged versions of the cache page on your PDA

The basics of what I do with this set up are.

Upload Pocket Queries to GSAK which can then export ‘overlays’ of cache locations for Memory Map and Cache page info for Cachemate.

Once the Memory Map file has been generated (some ‘script’ works on it when it is being generated, to link the standard icon to the Lordelf icons) I then work the file through a macro in excel save it as a .csv file, to do a few other things I find useful.  At this point it has all the Lordelf icons in place and has dropped the ‘GC’ from the cache ident.

The Cachemate export is copied into the PDA.  Once there it can be uploaded in to the Cachemate data base.

On Memory Map I import the .csv file from the ‘overlay’ menu.  The map now displays all the caches I wanted to look at.   If required co-ord can be corrected for puzzle caches and multi finals etc.  If I am planning to do a few I work out the route and mark the track I want to follow.  This can take the form of a line which shows the roads and footpaths I will follow to visit each cache in the order that looks best whilst sitting at home.  This line will transfer with the overlay to the PDA so I can follow it during my expedition.  Most useful if you cache by yourself and don’t have the services of a navigator.

Once I am happy with the overlay I export it to the PDA and am ready to go caching.

In the car my connector charges and powers my PDA and although it will power my GPSr it does not charge it.  Anyway I follow the prepared track to the parking point or cache location, press and hold on the cache icon, which gives me the option to send the co-ords to my GPSr and send them (I love this feature).  And of I go, if get to the area and need the clue I look it up on Cachemate.

Once back at home I can log the caches by opening Memory Map and double clicking on the relevant Lordelf icons which opens the cache page for me.

Tips for budget units;

Keep an eye on your environment.  You will need to know were your last clear view of the sky was. 

Check it is picking up lots of satellites there is not much it can do for you if its not receiving enough satellites.

Switch it ‘off’ then back ‘on’ if its readings are suspect.

Leave it in one place whilst you search it will often get a better fix that way (but don’t find the cache and leave the GPSr!)

Slow down as you get close to the cache, they tend to predict that you are keeping moving and let you walk past the location!

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